John 12:1-8
It was a rich act, done for a friend, the friend who raised her brother from the dead. This friend was no ordinary friend, but Jesus. So to repay him, to thank him, to honor him Mary, Lazarus' sister does this act. The rich scent permeates the room. Broken, anointed over the holy one of Israel. This was the man she sat at the feet of, the one she entrusted with her tears and accusations, of not being there in time. Yet now her brother lives, and he goes to die. So she anoints him, anoints with spices, even though she didn't know about his death. This perfume had probably been bought for her brothers grave, now given to Jesus a gift of friendship and love so deep, it is extravagant.
John's gospel is full of extravagant acts. Mary the mother of Jesus, telling the servants at the wedding feast in Cana to do whatever he asks. The water changes to wine and it is not cheap, it is the best saved until the last. The woman at the well, spoken to and offered living water that can last forever. The extravagance of Jesus speaking to her, a woman, a Samaritan, a woman at the well drawing at midday.
See extravagance isn't complicated or costly in terms of money. It can be simple and cost your time, time to notice, time to talk, time to write it doesn't have to be something we spend money on. Noticing the red buds in a riot of color. Taking time to have breakfast and conversation with a friend. Sometimes its just in experiencing extravagance where we can pick up its essence.
We were at my first clergy retreat. I was brand new here and as a clergy. Becca Stevens had been invited to present about healing and oils, the priestly ways to use these in healing. One session she had a participant all ready to take part in this foot washing. The person put their feet over the bowl and the oil was poured out. Pungent, extravagant in its covering, just like water meant to show the moment and what it would have smelled like and how everyone in the room would have encountered the act. There are some who object whether it's price like here in John, or a sinful women, or maybe its just the act wasn't done to the host and it is done to Jesus. See extravagant acts bring objection.
Its too much, too good, too special, too whatever and all it really means is the person doesn't understand fully how God is abundant, extravagant in love, in care, in clothing the lilies of the field. God's extravagance is everywhere on this earth. We only have to take the time to open our eyes to it. Yesterday driving to Sikeston from Poplar Bluff the sun was rising and at one point the darkness behind me was so strikingly different than the horizon before me it helped me think on this. The path of resurrection, the path of new life, the path of extravagance is hidden in the contrast. If I didn't have that hard darkness behind me, the horizon would not have held its beauty.
It is through the hardest times in life we begin to see the extravagance of God. The people who prayed for us, brought us a meal, allowed us to be held with care while we cried. Mary and Martha's hard time is behind them and so Mary acts in grace and beauty. Jesus hard time is before him. Maybe he thought of this in the midst of all the pain. Maybe this was the good act which sustained him. This wonderful act of healing.
It was a rich act, done for a friend, the friend who raised her brother from the dead. This friend was no ordinary friend, but Jesus. So to repay him, to thank him, to honor him Mary, Lazarus' sister does this act. The rich scent permeates the room. Broken, anointed over the holy one of Israel. This was the man she sat at the feet of, the one she entrusted with her tears and accusations, of not being there in time. Yet now her brother lives, and he goes to die. So she anoints him, anoints with spices, even though she didn't know about his death. This perfume had probably been bought for her brothers grave, now given to Jesus a gift of friendship and love so deep, it is extravagant.
John's gospel is full of extravagant acts. Mary the mother of Jesus, telling the servants at the wedding feast in Cana to do whatever he asks. The water changes to wine and it is not cheap, it is the best saved until the last. The woman at the well, spoken to and offered living water that can last forever. The extravagance of Jesus speaking to her, a woman, a Samaritan, a woman at the well drawing at midday.
See extravagance isn't complicated or costly in terms of money. It can be simple and cost your time, time to notice, time to talk, time to write it doesn't have to be something we spend money on. Noticing the red buds in a riot of color. Taking time to have breakfast and conversation with a friend. Sometimes its just in experiencing extravagance where we can pick up its essence.
We were at my first clergy retreat. I was brand new here and as a clergy. Becca Stevens had been invited to present about healing and oils, the priestly ways to use these in healing. One session she had a participant all ready to take part in this foot washing. The person put their feet over the bowl and the oil was poured out. Pungent, extravagant in its covering, just like water meant to show the moment and what it would have smelled like and how everyone in the room would have encountered the act. There are some who object whether it's price like here in John, or a sinful women, or maybe its just the act wasn't done to the host and it is done to Jesus. See extravagant acts bring objection.
Its too much, too good, too special, too whatever and all it really means is the person doesn't understand fully how God is abundant, extravagant in love, in care, in clothing the lilies of the field. God's extravagance is everywhere on this earth. We only have to take the time to open our eyes to it. Yesterday driving to Sikeston from Poplar Bluff the sun was rising and at one point the darkness behind me was so strikingly different than the horizon before me it helped me think on this. The path of resurrection, the path of new life, the path of extravagance is hidden in the contrast. If I didn't have that hard darkness behind me, the horizon would not have held its beauty.
It is through the hardest times in life we begin to see the extravagance of God. The people who prayed for us, brought us a meal, allowed us to be held with care while we cried. Mary and Martha's hard time is behind them and so Mary acts in grace and beauty. Jesus hard time is before him. Maybe he thought of this in the midst of all the pain. Maybe this was the good act which sustained him. This wonderful act of healing.
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